Suffolkgal Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 May be wrong. Happy to be contradicted. We call it papering when we do it but probably lots of dance students retired performers Equity maybe NHS? Have no problem with this but they do need to wonder if other artistic decisions for seasons might suit these times. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_enthusiast Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 1 hour ago, annamk said: Did anyone see an offer ? I haven’t received any 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady emily Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 1 hour ago, annamk said: Sudden disappearance of all the unsold stalls and central amphi seats for this evening's performance. Did anyone see an offer ? Could they have gone to students at the school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scheherezade Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 40 minutes ago, lady emily said: Could they have gone to students at the school? They could have. Or could they have gone to influencers from the school of social media visibility? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_enthusiast Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 11 minutes ago, Scheherezade said: Or could they have gone to influencers from the school of social media visibility? I honestly don't get the strategy with this. I see that they pick influencers who have big followings, but don't seem to have anything tangible to do with ballet. They just post about travelling/fashion or whatever. So, I'm not sure how they're going to encourage a new ballet audience really. Like, the ROH is just going to become a place where people pose for Instagram pics instead of actually appreciating the art form. It's quite sad. At least, maybe pick an influencer who does something for/in the ballet or opera community. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 2 hours ago, annamk said: Sudden disappearance of all the unsold stalls and central amphi seats for this evening's performance. Did anyone see an offer ? Uhh....no. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 3 hours ago, annamk said: Sudden disappearance of all the unsold stalls and central amphi seats for this evening's performance. Did anyone see an offer ? This seems to be happening every evening for this ballet. I know because I've been stalking for late seats for a friend a couple of times and on each occasion, from lots of available seats all over the house, the seating plan suddenly went to being just the amphi available. That didn't happen for the (basically) sold out Swan Lake where I bought a returned stalls seat around 6pm. I imagine at a certain cutoff point in the afternoon they have decided they are unlikely to sell any more top price seats and give them away to people "on the list". I wonder whether it is just for WT or for all performances that are not selling well? Will be interested to see what happens with the Ashton bills. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 16 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missfrankiecat Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 Lovely photos of a spectacularly good looking and photogenic cast tonight! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 Lovely pics as always Rob S Marco certainly deserved those flowers tonight…terrific performance from him! 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Newcombe Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 Oh for some comments on the ballet! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_enthusiast Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 41 minutes ago, Tony Newcombe said: Oh for some comments on the ballet! This cast has been reviewed earlier in this thread, they were the debut show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 But that doesn’t mean they can’t be reviewed again as not everybody went to the debut show! it’s too late now but will say something tomorrow. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 45 minutes ago, Tony Newcombe said: Oh for some comments on the ballet! Go for it Tony! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scheherezade Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 4 hours ago, Missfrankiecat said: Lovely photos of a spectacularly good looking and photogenic cast tonight! And sticking with the non-ballet comments - sorry @Tony Newcombe - that is exactly what I was thinking @Missfrankiecat. Not just restricted to that particular cast, there are an extraordinary number of exceptionally good looking and photogenic people in the Royal Ballet at the moment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blossom Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Second viewing for me and I am finding the music is growing on me. Interestingly, both the music sounds better from above (balcony - incidentally next to the sound desk, which suggests that the music has a little more help above the stalls level) and the set is more effective from a bit further back (first visit was booked by someone who likes to sit in stalls row G which frankly is too far forward). In addition to the music growing on me, I am finding that there are moments which consistently make me feel something - and actually found the moments where Leontes was 'fighting' with Hermione even more striking last night (likely Lauren Cuthbertson's interpretation). Another treat of a cast, mentally starting to put together my own fantasy cast. Very much enjoyed Cuthbertson/Corrales - booked specifically to see Cesar in this one - and Hayward Sambe, but the particular stand out performances for me were Melissa Hamilton (after this and Requiem, at a loss as to why she isn't seen as principal material) and the superb Marco Masciari. For the latter, I am expecting great things to come and find it a shame that we can't get a recording of him as Shepherd Son/Brother Clown as well as the wonderful Liam Boswell from Monday evening. Spotted Joby Talbot at the end of the second interval and Roberto Bolle was also in the house last night, plus it seems that at least one dancer from ENB was in attendance - possibly one of the later seat fills? 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 (edited) 4 hours ago, Scheherezade said: there are an extraordinary number of exceptionally good looking and photogenic people in the Royal Ballet at the moment. (Blushing) I don’t know what to say, what a lovely compliment to receive 🙂 That’s made my day. Thank you very much. 😉 Edited May 16 by San Perregrino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 8 hours ago, Tony Newcombe said: Oh for some comments on the ballet! I've moved some of the more "marketing"-related posts into this existing thread: - apologies if there's some loss of continuity in this one. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 9 hours ago, Blossom said: Second viewing for me and I am finding the music is growing on me. Interestingly, both the music sounds better from above (balcony - incidentally next to the sound desk, which suggests that the music has a little more help above the stalls level) and the set is more effective from a bit further back (first visit was booked by someone who likes to sit in stalls row G which frankly is too far forward). In addition to the music growing on me, I am finding that there are moments which consistently make me feel something - and actually found the moments where Leontes was 'fighting' with Hermione even more striking last night (likely Lauren Cuthbertson's interpretation). Another treat of a cast, mentally starting to put together my own fantasy cast. Very much enjoyed Cuthbertson/Corrales - booked specifically to see Cesar in this one - and Hayward Sambe, but the particular stand out performances for me were Melissa Hamilton (after this and Requiem, at a loss as to why she isn't seen as principal material) and the superb Marco Masciari. For the latter, I am expecting great things to come and find it a shame that we can't get a recording of him as Shepherd Son/Brother Clown as well as the wonderful Liam Boswell from Monday evening. Spotted Joby Talbot at the end of the second interval and Roberto Bolle was also in the house last night, plus it seems that at least one dancer from ENB was in attendance - possibly one of the later seat fills? Add to the sentence above (my bold) 'and Manon'. She was wonderful in the role earlier this year. I agree with your review, Blossom. My second viewing of this cast and they were superb; even better than on the opening night. It was lovely to see you, @Blossom, and to finally meet the lovely @LinMM. Thank you for coming to say hello! Yes, quite a few 'faces' in the audience last night; as well as Roberto Bolle and an ENB dancer, Jonathan Lo and Martin Georgiev were there enjoying themselves. I was introduced to Martin and he was thrilled when I told him how wonderful his conducting of Swan Lake had been. I now look forward to seeing the Ball/Nunez/Naghdi/Bracewell cast next week. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 You beat me to it again Sim! Was just going to say how lovely it was to meet you and your daughter last night and to say hello to Blossom finally as well. Incidentally Blossom although I didn’t see you there I was also sitting next to the sound desk in the Balcony obviously on the other side of it. I was a bit worried at first with all these things plugged in behind my seat and that it might disturb the performance being so close however didn’t hear a thing from them once curtain was up. Unfortunately for me though the music did not grow on me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Well I really must make more of the cast sheets before performances rather rather than after!! Then I might have understood who Paulina was before asking a friend in the interval!! For some reason I thought she was Polixene’s wife so was consequently rather puzzled at the end of Act one. Obviously 60 years ago as an A level study is just too long to remember all the characters!! But I also would have seen this Play at the Old Vic as we always got taken to see the plays we were studying there …though the only one I vaguely remember is As you Like it with a very young Judi Dench in it. Anyway last night Paulina was danced beautifully and soulfully ( inspite of the music) by Melissa Hamilton and I agree with others who think she should really be a Principal by now. I was very pleased to see Cesar Corrales pretty much back on form a very openly angry and destructive jealousy was his with a touch of desperation about it. It’s great to see what he can do with a non purely classical role wish I could see more of him in dramatic type roles. Lauren Cuthbertson was the perfect foil to him as she was such a delicate and gentle Hermione so just made Leontes behaviour seem even worse! The second Act was danced with such enthusiasm by all …Francesca perfect as Perdita ( and on another thread there is some discussion about certain ballets being revived like Ondine and last night that role flashed into my mind watching Francesca dance. Sambe in great exuberant form as this role demands but the Act has to go to Marco Masciari for dancing accolade yesterday…couldn’t take my eyes off him when on stage…. he’s definitely got it all!! I still think the music is just relentlessly samey and in fact quite harsh in places for this Act …it would have been nice for some softer touches here and there especially for when Perdita and Florizel are dancing so for me as there is not much light and shade it sort of gets in the way in places and is the reason why inspite of good performances from the dancers at the end of the ballet it just doesn’t seem to let the emotion through for me anyway. Though I suppose it is a Winters “Tale” so not to be taken too seriously with statues coming to life and all. I wasn’t quite sure whether the boy was going to come back to life too and was worried about him standing so long having to stare out into the auditorium …definitely vertigo inducing from that height. So was relieved when he didn’t. I will be seeing this again with the Vadim cast in a couple of weeks and will look forward to what they make of it ( still hoping Sissens and Pantuso for Act 2) but this ballet probably good to see about every 3-4 years or so for me. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 5 hours ago, Sim said: Martin Gergiev Georgiev ... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelm Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 On 14/05/2024 at 09:17, Blossom said: I had to make time this morning to review the performance as, despite the music, I very much enjoyed it. Starting with the score, interestingly, I spent the evening with an opera lover, who particularly likes the music, although I challenged him to listen to it at home! In Joby Talbot's favour, I do find that the score becomes more tuneful with each act and the act 2 music still remained in my head as I was trying to get to sleep although completely unmemorable this morning. To paraphrase some of the reviews I've seen, this is one of - if not the best 21st century full length narrative ballet. I believe it's one of Shakespeare's more difficult plays, but the storytelling is exceptionally clear and maintains interest throughout and each act raced by. I am coming to terms with some of the new contemporary ballet vocabulary and for me, this blended well with the more classical vocabulary which I recognise. Wheeldon's style captures emotions and interactions well through each character's body language using every muscle in the body, facial expressions included. Having sat in prime position in the stalls last night, I'm looking forward to seeing how well this carries further back in the auditorium, as it is so integral to the characterisations. I liked the clever use of the male pas des deux to convey the relationship of the Kings, the changing styles between the different locations to convey the different lands. This was the first time I had seen TWT live and experience the set design which is simply but effectively done. The use of video projections to convey the boats travelling from one place to another was particularly well done and seamlessly integrated into the storytelling. The physical elements of the set used - from statues in Act 1 and 3, the tree in Act 2 to the physical boats at the end of Act 2 - were all integral to the action (some of the elements having choreography of their own). Matthew Ball was magnificent - in addition to being a fine dancer, this role demonstrates the strength of his acting. Yasmine Naghdi and William Bracewell played Perdita and Florizel with youthful abandon and conveyed their feelings of joy well. I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to see Liam Boswell and Marianna Tsembenhoi dancing Brother Clown and Young Shepherdess - it's always a pleasure to see them dancing and I'm looking forward to seeing some of the other young talent in the remaining casts that I will see. It was a huge treat to have so many big roles and to see Marianela Nunez, Mayara Magri as Hermione and Paulina and found myself debating which was the better role! Again, looking forward to future casts in order to make this decision. On the emotional front, as I mentioned in my post last night, I did feel the impact at times: when Leontes realises what he has done at the end of Act 1, when Polixenes reveals himself in Act 2 and in Act 3 when Paulina realises who Perdita is, when the family is finally reunited. Music is a factor, especially comparing with some of the classics, but I think it's also potentially because each step is so carefully choreographed that there is less abandon (and potentially less danger) vs MacMillan's choreography. I had wondered if I would manage 2 casts in one week not usually being the biggest Wheeldon fan, but can't wait for Wednesday night. The clear take away from this ballet is the power of Shakespeare's stories - and the power of ballet to tell his stories well. I look forward to the next choreographer and composer to take on the challenge of bringing one of his plays to life through actions and not words. Not being much of a Wheeldon fan myself (based on Alice and Cinderella), I was going to give A Winter’s Tale a miss. But having read this review, as well others on the forum, I have been persuaded to give it a go, and have booked a ticket for the matinee. I’ve decided not to watch the recorded version on Stream first, I think I’d like to go in fresh! 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Well what do I know …yet again! It’s best I just don’t mention anything from more than about five years ago! For all me remembering seeing Judi Dench in As You Like it well that must have been some alter ego! I actually saw her in Midsummer Nights Dream not As you Like it. I do remember ( caution) seeing Twelth Night at the Old Vic a few years later but that didn’t have Judi Dench in it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blossom Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 @Sim further to interval conversation yesterday, Chat GPT came back with this answer as to why Perdita and Florizel choose to flee specifically to Sicila... Some things obviously just can't be conveyed in dance or mime... They choose Sicilia because they receive aid from Camillo, a Sicilian lord in exile who serves Polixenes. Camillo has his own desire to return to Sicilia after many years away from his homeland, and he suggests the destination, knowing that the king of Sicilia, Leontes, has been penitent and lonely since the losses of his wife and children years earlier. Although Florizel does not know Leontes personally, the ties between their families and the suggestion by Camillo guide their decision. Sicilia thus represents a place of potential safety and refuge from Polixenes, under the assumption that Leontes would be sympathetic to their plight and more accepting of their love. 5 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 8 minutes ago, Blossom said: @Sim further to interval conversation yesterday, Chat GPT came back with this answer as to why Perdita and Florizel choose to flee specifically to Sicila... Some things obviously just can't be conveyed in dance or mime... They choose Sicilia because they receive aid from Camillo, a Sicilian lord in exile who serves Polixenes. Camillo has his own desire to return to Sicilia after many years away from his homeland, and he suggests the destination, knowing that the king of Sicilia, Leontes, has been penitent and lonely since the losses of his wife and children years earlier. Although Florizel does not know Leontes personally, the ties between their families and the suggestion by Camillo guide their decision. Sicilia thus represents a place of potential safety and refuge from Polixenes, under the assumption that Leontes would be sympathetic to their plight and more accepting of their love. Ahhh that explains it…and totally unexplained in the ballet! Thanks so much @Blossom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emeralds Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Just to say that in Wheeldon's production the character of Camillo is cut - or altered. Instead Polixenes has a steward (who is just called that) who wasn't a Sicilian courtier to begin with, there is no attempt to poison Polixenes, just Leontes trying to beat Polixenes up (in dance movements) and the courtiers of both kings splitting them up. In Wheeldon's synopsis and choreography, it suggests that Florizel knows Leontes is a friend of the family and flees to Sicilia hoping Leontes can offer them refuge and help them to talk his angry father round (presumably not aware that Leontes tried to beat up his dad years ago!) It is quite interesting to see that in this scene (before Perdita is revealed to be Leontes' daughter) the tables are now turned- Leontes is the calm, rational man, while Polixenes seems almost irrationally and inexplicably enraged by Florizel and Perdita - poor girl, how was she to know Florizel was really a prince if he didn't tell anyone? (Somewhat reminiscent of Albrecht in Giselle- but only one fiancee this time!) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Except that he's wearing a crown at the beginning of Act II ... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnbarr Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 After Wednesday night's performance I agree with the Guardian critic that this is a five star masterpiece. I enjoyed the show immensely. These stars of the Royal Ballet could certainly give the stars of the Royal Shakespeare Company a run for their money in the interpretation of Shakespearean drama. Superb acting from Cesar Corrales, Melissa Hamilton and Lauren Cuthbertson in particular. I could see the wild jealousy flashing in Corrales eyes from quite a few rows back and Cuthbertson's gentle sweetness made the tragedy all the more heartbreaking. I think the Act 2 pas de deux is the best part of the choreography. Marcelino Sambe and Francesca Hayward danced it beautifully. , Hayward even looks like she could be Cuthbertson's daughter. I loved the fast and furious shepherds' dancing. I could see Leo Dixon, unidentified in the cast list, really enjoying himself, I think dancing with Laetitia Dias. The costumes and set perfectly complemented the dancing and I even liked the music. I have one question. Bohemia is now the Czech Republic and a bit of Germany. On my maps it doesn't have a coastline!!! It's North of Austria. Did the Bard have less Geography than even Greek ? Or does Bohemia just mean very foreign? Anyway, the dancing shepherds looked more like they came from Dalmatia or perhaps Albania which would make much more sense if you had sailed from Sicily. Go and see it. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 33 minutes ago, alison said: Except that he's wearing a crown at the beginning of Act II ... Yes…and she tells him to hide his clothes and crown in the tree. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Perregrino Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 37 minutes ago, alison said: Except that he's wearing a crown at the beginning of Act II ... 2 minutes ago, Sim said: Yes…and she tells him to hide his clothes and crown in the tree. At the end of Act 2, although Florizel picks up his royal robes before fleeing to escape aboard a ship, his crown is in the hand of Polixenes royal steward who exits in the opposite direction. However, at the start of Act 3, arriving at the court of Leontes, Florizel has gained a crown. Hmm, did he while away the hours on board ship fashioning a new one? Similarly did Perdita pop into Accessorize and pick up a scarf to match her purple robe? And, while I’m pondering, why in the middle of Act 1, does a courtier (danced by Leo Dixon) unarmed like everyone else, disappear only to return with a conveniently placed dagger around his waist? Has Leontes ordered him to do this? Hmm 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 And how does the Shepherdess suddenly show up at the wedding in Act 3 when she hadn’t escaped with the others on the boat? Did she get an invite and then jump on another boat?! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 1 hour ago, Finnbarr said: I have one question. Bohemia is now the Czech Republic and a bit of Germany. On my maps it doesn't have a coastline!!! It's North of Austria. Did the Bard have less Geography than even Greek ? In a word, yes Let's face it, accurate knowledge of geography wasn't very widespread in Elizabethan times. I'm sure Shakespeare wasn't the only one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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